This topic is about dealing with skin irritation, blisters, and bleeding around a stoma as it shrinks after surgery. A new ostomate is experiencing these issues as their stoma size decreases from 40 mm to 35 mm. They have tried resizing the flange opening and using different products, but still face leaks and soreness. Here are some helpful tips and advice:

1. Professional Guidance: It's important to seek help from an ostomy nurse or surgeon to ensure there are no allergies or other underlying issues causing the irritation.

2. Healing Dressings: Consider using DuoDerm (ConvaTec) over the irritated skin until it heals, then return to your usual routine. Many find this method effective.

3. Frequent Changes: As the stoma size changes, try changing the appliance more often. This reduces the time effluent sits on the skin, which can help with healing.

4. Wafer Fit: Ensure the wafer fits well. A sharp or tight edge can cause bleeding, so recut it precisely to avoid this.

5. Adhesive Allergy: If irritation continues, consider the possibility of an adhesive allergy. Identifying and avoiding the offending product can help.

6. Protective Collars: Some users have found that Salts Healthcare Demacol stoma collars, when fitted snugly, help prevent leakage and bleeding.

7. Rings vs. Paste:
- Thicker barrier rings that fit firmly against the stoma tend to last longer.
- Paste can be messy; some find using rings alone or with a thin layer of paste to fill gaps more effective.

8. Skin-Prep Routine:
- Clean the area with warm soapy water, rinse well, and dry thoroughly. A hair-dryer on a cool setting can speed up drying.
- If possible, let the skin air out for 15 minutes before applying a new appliance.

9. Home Remedies:
- Apply Neosporin ointment around the stoma, leave it for 45-60 minutes, then wash off before fitting the wafer.
- Using chloraseptic solution inside the pouch can relieve pain and act as an antiseptic rinse.

10. Custom Solutions: Some have found success by creating custom base plates and attaching standard pouches to them, which helped eliminate allergies and bleeding.

11. Additional Resource: Look for "weepy skin" posts in forums to find documented product trials and results that might be helpful.